people of Mouldwarp did not know why they believed in science. They knew only that it was absurd
not to believe. And their science worked in their dimensions! They could move quickly from place to place,
converse with one another over long distances, and see
one another in different regions of the earth.
Ornatus:
Three of the most foolish activities one can imagine.
Sparkler:
Hush.
Science created a great reality for them. It manufactured planets, and stars, and medicines. Can we truly
believe them to be primitive?
Ornatus:
Oh yes. Certainly.
Sparkler:
He speaks with great conviction.
Do you remember what one of the guardians told me
during the first session? ‘We do not wish to build our
own monuments or memorials, since, unlike those who
came before us, we wish to efface ourselves. All objects
dissolve, so we choose not to make them.’ Do you recall
his words? Well, let me tell you this. We are astounded
by our ancestors and their misconceptions, but we may
seem equally foolish to our successors. In the distant
villages of the hammer and the smith, as you know,
dwell those who believe themselves to be already dead.
They neither eat nor drink, but they survive their allotted span. May I prophesy? We will become like
them, dying in life, if we refuse to countenance the
presence of other realities around us.
Ornatus:
This is madness. Can he truly believe what he says?
Sparkler:
Do you see how some of the citizens are becoming restless?
Ornatus:
Bewildered, too.
Sparkler:
It is almost finished. The next session, according to custom, will also be the last.
Ornatus:
I will be truly thankful.
49
Ours is a great and ancient city, with its own sacred rites.
The citizens will assemble at the several gates, according to
their parish, where the charges against you will once more be
recited. Then they will sleep and, immediately on waking,
they will know whether you are in a state of innocence or
guilt. The spirit of the city will guide them. Of course you
must then confer upon yourself whatever sentence you deem to
be just. We have no part in that.
And should I decide to give orations as before?
That is your right. It will be after, not before, and that is
enough for us. It will not be the same city and you will not be
the same person. Now, with your permission, may we draw
these proceedings to a close?
I am allowed a last petition, am I not?
If you wish it, then it is so. Proceed.
The Judgment
Upon Plato
50
Citizens who live beside the bishop’s gate! You have heard how Plato defended himself and how he argued with the orators. What a vigorous performance that was! But how severely was he criticised for his excesses! In these great debates, however, you are the arbiters whose judgment abides. After taking part in the communal feast you will sleep and, when you awake, you will know the truth.
51
Sidonia:
I’m afraid that I missed most of Plato’s closing submission. Was it interesting?
Madrigal:
Very fine indeed. It reminded me of our days at the Academy. There were many questions and interventions. Shall I try—
Sidonia:
If you would.
Madrigal:
Plato said:
Tell me, what is it that we presume to understand?
Ask any citizen and you will receive no true answer.
And yet we condemn past ages for their absurd beliefs!
Ah. I am wrong again: we are certain of one thing.
We know that for a while we are consigned to the
wrong dimensions and that, at some point, they will
pass away. There is a grief box in every parish where
we can express our anxiety without being observed. I
ask you if this is the way to live. I can no longer endure
our patience, our endless worship, our expectation.
Some of us grow old and fade. I have seen my own
mother begin to depart, until she was scarcely visible
even to me. Was this well done? Was this, in the words
of the guardians, as it should be? I am not telling you
that all is wrong, or all is well. I am simply asking you
to question and, perhaps, to see the world in different
ways.
not to believe. And their science worked in their dimensions! They could move quickly from place to place,
converse with one another over long distances, and see
one another in different regions of the earth.
Ornatus:
Three of the most foolish activities one can imagine.
Sparkler:
Hush.
Science created a great reality for them. It manufactured planets, and stars, and medicines. Can we truly
believe them to be primitive?
Ornatus:
Oh yes. Certainly.
Sparkler:
He speaks with great conviction.
Do you remember what one of the guardians told me
during the first session? ‘We do not wish to build our
own monuments or memorials, since, unlike those who
came before us, we wish to efface ourselves. All objects
dissolve, so we choose not to make them.’ Do you recall
his words? Well, let me tell you this. We are astounded
by our ancestors and their misconceptions, but we may
seem equally foolish to our successors. In the distant
villages of the hammer and the smith, as you know,
dwell those who believe themselves to be already dead.
They neither eat nor drink, but they survive their allotted span. May I prophesy? We will become like
them, dying in life, if we refuse to countenance the
presence of other realities around us.
Ornatus:
This is madness. Can he truly believe what he says?
Sparkler:
Do you see how some of the citizens are becoming restless?
Ornatus:
Bewildered, too.
Sparkler:
It is almost finished. The next session, according to custom, will also be the last.
Ornatus:
I will be truly thankful.
49
Ours is a great and ancient city, with its own sacred rites.
The citizens will assemble at the several gates, according to
their parish, where the charges against you will once more be
recited. Then they will sleep and, immediately on waking,
they will know whether you are in a state of innocence or
guilt. The spirit of the city will guide them. Of course you
must then confer upon yourself whatever sentence you deem to
be just. We have no part in that.
And should I decide to give orations as before?
That is your right. It will be after, not before, and that is
enough for us. It will not be the same city and you will not be
the same person. Now, with your permission, may we draw
these proceedings to a close?
I am allowed a last petition, am I not?
If you wish it, then it is so. Proceed.
The Judgment
Upon Plato
50
Citizens who live beside the bishop’s gate! You have heard how Plato defended himself and how he argued with the orators. What a vigorous performance that was! But how severely was he criticised for his excesses! In these great debates, however, you are the arbiters whose judgment abides. After taking part in the communal feast you will sleep and, when you awake, you will know the truth.
51
Sidonia:
I’m afraid that I missed most of Plato’s closing submission. Was it interesting?
Madrigal:
Very fine indeed. It reminded me of our days at the Academy. There were many questions and interventions. Shall I try—
Sidonia:
If you would.
Madrigal:
Plato said:
Tell me, what is it that we presume to understand?
Ask any citizen and you will receive no true answer.
And yet we condemn past ages for their absurd beliefs!
Ah. I am wrong again: we are certain of one thing.
We know that for a while we are consigned to the
wrong dimensions and that, at some point, they will
pass away. There is a grief box in every parish where
we can express our anxiety without being observed. I
ask you if this is the way to live. I can no longer endure
our patience, our endless worship, our expectation.
Some of us grow old and fade. I have seen my own
mother begin to depart, until she was scarcely visible
even to me. Was this well done? Was this, in the words
of the guardians, as it should be? I am not telling you
that all is wrong, or all is well. I am simply asking you
to question and, perhaps, to see the world in different
ways.
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